Minneapolis, MN – A tragic car chase involving the Minneapolis Police Department ended with two women dead, a child injured, and a dog euthanized following a high-speed pursuit triggered by a carjacking at gunpoint.
The suspect, now in custody and treated for non-life-threatening injuries, evoked chaos across the city before the deadly crash.
A Violent Morning: The Incident Unfolds
At approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 4, 2025, Minneapolis police responded to reports of a person armed with a gun near East Lake Street and 4th Avenue South. The situation escalated swiftly to a carjacking in progress, as confirmed by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The suspect, a 45-year-old St. Paul man, was seen driving a maroon Ford Explorer recklessly—swerving into traffic, speeding, and driving onto sidewalks along Lake Street. After crashing the Explorer, he attempted carjacking at a red light but failed, then successfully carjacked a woman driving a black Volkswagen and fled.
Police reported that the suspect fired multiple shots while fleeing and took three dogs from the crashed Explorer. According to a report by Fox9, one dog was later euthanized, and two others are currently being treated for their injuries.
The Fatal Pursuit and Crash
At around 8:19 a.m., sightings of the black Volkswagen being driven recklessly downtown led the police to track the vehicle to the north side of Minneapolis. A pursuit was initiated at approximately 8:36 a.m., ending minutes later when the suspect crashed into an uninvolved vehicle at the intersection of Penn Avenue North and Olson Memorial Highway (Highway 55).
Tragically, the collision resulted in the deaths of two women, Marisa Ardys Casebolt and Liberty Borg, both 25 years old from Minneapolis. A child in the vehicle, estimated to be 5 or 6 years old, was injured but is receiving treatment for non-life-threatening wounds.
Community Impact and Police Response
Chief O’Hara expressed the gravity of the situation:
“This is an outcome we never want—a devastating incident with very heartbreaking and permanent consequences. A gunman drove recklessly throughout the city, at excessive speeds and even onto sidewalks, carjacking a woman and firing shots on a crowded city street, jeopardizing human life…This criminal put countless lives at risk, and this is exactly why we take violent crime so seriously.”
No police officers were involved in the crash, and the Minnesota State Patrol is leading the crash investigation while Minneapolis police focus on the carjacking and violent crime incidents.
Explaining Pursuit Policies Amid Tragedy
Addressing the department’s stringent pursuit policies, Chief O’Hara detailed the delicate balance police must maintain:
“We’ve been criticized recently… for having a pursuit policy that does not allow pursuits in those cases. This result is the reason we have such stringent policies. We have to balance the need to apprehend, in this case, a dangerous and violent gunman, with the risk that these pursuits pose to the public…that’s why the Minneapolis policy on vehicle pursuits is so stringent.”
Key Facts at a Glance
- Incident began around 8 a.m. near East Lake Street and 4th Avenue South.
- Suspect involved in multiple reckless actions, carjacking, and firing shots in a populated city area.
- Police initiated pursuit at 8:36 a.m., ending in fatal crash at Penn Ave N & Olson Memorial Highway.
- Victims identified as Marisa Ardys Casebolt and Liberty Borg.
- Child passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
- Three dogs taken from suspect’s crashed vehicle; one euthanized, two treated for injuries.
- Highway 55 was closed for several hours but reopened around 1 p.m.
Looking Ahead: Community Healing and Safety Measures
This heart-wrenching event underscores the risks associated with violent crimes and high-speed pursuits in urban areas. While Minneapolis police continue their investigations, the community is left grappling with the tragic loss and the urgent need for safety and vigilance.
What do you think about the Minneapolis Police pursuit policies in violent crime cases? Have you witnessed or been affected by similar incidents in the city? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
